Episode 189 unpacks Leviticus 12:5–7 to explain why new mothers brought purification offerings, why the waiting period differs for sons and daughters, and how ancient ritual, medical ideas, and theology interacted.

Host Lance Smith shows the difference between ceremonial impurity and moral guilt, highlights the protective rest the law provided, and points to Mary and Jesus as the ultimate fulfillment of the purification rites.

References to items discussed and/or used on this podcast may be found at the following:

The Bible Difficulties and Answers Website

The Bible Difficulties and Answers Facebook Page

Email Address: bibledifficultiesandanswers@gmail.com 

1. Geisler, Norman L., and Thomas Howe. The Big Book of Bible Difficulties. Baker Books, 1992. Available at: https://a.co/d/7shn4hI


2. MacArthur, John. The MacArthur Study Bible: NASB. Thomas Nelson, 1995. (Notes on Leviticus 12:1-8.) Available at: https://www.thomasnelsonbibles.com/product/the-macarthur-daily-bible-2nd-edition-nasb/


3. Thiessen, Matthew. "The Legislation of Leviticus 12 in Light of Ancient Embryology." Vetus Testamentum 68, no. 3 (2018): 297-319. Full open-access article: https://www.academia.edu/32175503/The_Legislation_of_Leviticus_12_in_Light_of_Ancient_Embryology  


4. "In Leviticus chapter 12, why is a woman unclean longer if she gives birth to a daughter than if she gives birth to a son?" GotQuestions.org. Accessed November 2025. https://www.gotquestions.org/unclean-daughter-longer-son.html


5. Mowczko, Marg. "Periods of Purification after Childbirth (Leviticus 12:1–8)." Marg Mowczko Blog, February 2023. https://margmowczko.com/purification-after-giving-birth-leviticus-12/


6. Masonheimer, Phylicia. "Levitical Purification After Childbirth." Phylicia Masonheimer, March 2019. https://phyliciamasonheimer.com/levitical-purification-after-childbirth/


7. Wright, David P. "The Rationale of the Laws of Clean and Unclean in the Old Testament." Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society 20, no. 4 (1977): 319-328. Free PDF via BiblicalStudies.org.uk: https://biblicalstudies.org.uk/pdf/jets/clean_sprinkle.pdf (Note: This is the core excerpt on impurity symbolism; full JETS archive at https://www.etsjets.org/).


8. Guzik, David. "Enduring Word Bible Commentary: Leviticus Chapter 12." Enduring Word, 2022. https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/leviticus-12/ (Hosted on Blue Letter Bible: https://www.blueletterbible.org/comm/guzik_david/study-guide/leviticus/leviticus-12.cfm)


9. "Leviticus 12: Purification After Childbirth." Sefaria Texts & Sheets, Sheet by Rabbi Shmuel Herzfeld (Sheet #167321). https://www.sefaria.org/sheets/167321?lang=bi (Interactive rabbinic commentary with midrashic insights).


10. Amador, Melanie. "In the Bible, Why Is a Woman Unclean for Twice as Long After Giving Birth to a Girl?" Where I Am Blog, October 8, 2021. https://whereiam.blog/2021/10/08/in-the-bible-why-is-a-woman-unclean-for-twice-as-long-after-giving-birth-to-a-girl/


11. "Postpartum Impurity: Why Is the Duration Double for a Girl?" TheTorah.com, by Rabbi Dr. Shmuel Herzfeld (based on ancient Near Eastern parallels). https://www.thetorah.com/article/postpartum-impurity-why-is-the-duration-double-for-a-girl